I am a Citizen of Heaven - Daily Devotional for Women by Anna Szabo of Online Discipleship for Women

Where’s your citizenship? I was born in Russia and have citizenship there by birthright. I’m also an American citizen, which I became through naturalization after I was awarded the Violence Against Women Act immigration protection due to domestic violence in my first marriage. But actually, I am a citizen of heaven, and so are you! Why is it even important? Have you ever given this topic any thought? 

When I lived in Russia, I wanted to move somewhere where I could be free, pursue whatever career and hobbies I desired, choose what to believe, and have trustworthy government. My friend Antonina owned a matchmaking agency, so she created a profile for me, and I met my first husband shortly thereafter. We traveled the world together while I was still a student in two universities. n 2008, I graduated from both and emigrated to America.

I had never been back to Russia ever since. However back things were there, I had no idea what was coming my way here in the States. Prince Charming turned into the Prince of Darkness as soon as I stepped on this foreign land… He beat me regularly, and after four times, the Dunwoody Police Department sent three officers to rescue me. The officers took me to a shelter for victims of domestic violence. I spoke no English. That husband of mine never filed proper immigration documents so I had no social security number or driver’s license. I had no citizenship or ever a work authorization document. I was not allowed to drive or earn money… Life was tough for me, dealing with homelessness after many months of enduring domestic violence.

I didn’t want Russian citizenship because the Russian government refused to help me in my devastating situation. Yet, I couldn’t become a citizen of the United States. It was a time of feeling like I didn’t belong anywhere on earth… I had no contentment, genuinely believing that receiving American citizenship would make all my dreams come true. I received it. It didn’t make my dreams come true. It didn’t make me happy. In fact, it was just another day, and life continued…

Today, I am a citizen of heaven.

I have peace and joy.

I am a Citizen of Heaven #52Devotionals Devotions for Women  by Anna Szabo

A Citizen of the Russian Federation

For the first 25 years of my life, I lived in Kursk, Russia, on Uhtomskogo Street. Growing up during the crush of USRR, I was on the receiving end of all patriotic books, songs, and poetry we were obligated to memorize and recite regularly at my school #36 on Stanzionnaya Street. I described the details of those experiences in my article called “Spoken Word Poetry.” Being a citizen of “Mother Russia” was something I took a pride in and thought my home country took me as seriously as I took it. In 2009, discovered that it was not at all true.

I left Russia on July 31st of 2008 and followed the man I fell in love with – Prince Charming – to his home country – the United States of America. I arrived that same day, after 13 hours of flying, because I flew back in time. And I stepped on this land (I still live in Atlanta, GA) on July 31st, 2008. Eight days later, the man I married started abusing me and treating me like a slave. 

I wrote an article about my entire journey from domestic violence to homeless and then my graduation with an MBA from GA State University. You can read it here. After I was rescued by the police and taken to a shelter for battered women, I called the Russan Embassy and begged for help. I was told that I needed to stay back “home” and marry there to avoid my bad situation. They refused to help me.

You can probably understand why I haven’t been back to my home country or why I don’t engage with the Russian community here in Atlanta. I had realized in that dangerous and desperate situation exactly what I meant to my home country: nothing

A Citizen of the United States of America

On April 9th, 2009 I escaped my abusive marriage and was delivered by the police to a shelter for victims of domestic violence in Stone Mountain, GA. It was called “The International Women’s House.” I became homeless, hopeless, and helpless, in a foreign country, without speaking the language.

I felt abandoned and lonely. 

But Americans came together to help me. The Atlanta Legal Aid Society spent a year obtaining my divorce from Prince Charming. The agency charged me zero dollars. The Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence helped me with my restraining order and emotional support. The agency charged nothing for its help. Immigration Legal Services of Catholic Charities worked for a year to help me get VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) immigration protection. I was awarded the i-360, received a work authorization document, driver’s license, social security number, and even a job working for the government! Catholic Charites did all its work at no cost to me. 

And from there, very quickly I was eligible for American citizenship. A dream come true! Right? Well… I took a few years to examine my heart. Can you believe it? Years have passed, and I was still thinking: which country am I a citizen of? Where was my heart? Accepting my American citizenship meant giving up my Russian citizenship. Not an easy choice, even after all that I shared here: the betrayal by my home country. 

In 2016, I did walk into the naturalization office and stood there with my hand on my heart pleading loyalty to the United States of America. It was a genuine decision. It was an emotional day. It was so special. It was an honor. America is my home. I belong here.

The very reason why I finally gave up my Russian passport and accepted the honor of an American passport is the feeling of peace and my deep sense of belonging. I belong here.

Often, adults in their 30s and 40 tell me that they just went home or that they plan to go home. I ask them: where is home? Typically, it’s where their parents are. I have no such home because I never had loving parents. I never had a loving mother or grandmother, so Russia is not my home. Actually, I never felt safe there.

SIGN UP FOR EMAILS

Born out of wedlock during the crush of the USSR, raised on welfare by a single mom with mental health issues, I experienced a lot of hatred and bullying from her, as well as confusion about who I was and why I was even born. I attempted suicide twice as a child. All I knew about my father was that he was in jail and that I was an unwanted accident. I grew up in a home full of alcoholic relatives from whom I endured emotional abuse and physical violence. I was raped twice. I experienced teen pregnancy. I suffered a miscarriage at 17. 

Russia is not my home.

A Citizen of Heaven

Ultimately, the question had always been for me: Where do I belong?” I did not belong in my family, which is explained in my blog post called Narcissistic Mother. I tried to build my own family, which didn’t work out. When in 2014 I came to Christ, surrendered to God, and invited Jesus to be my Lord and savior, I embarked on a journey toward peace, contentment, belonging, and unconditional love.

In 2018, after my third divorce following a devastating marriage with the narcissist, I was in a discipleship group with a few women from Perimeter Church. The study was on the Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer. It was a transformative experience, which helped significantly and rapidly grow my faith to a whole new level.

READ: What Is Faith?

During the Armor of God study, the author placed a strong accent on the fact that we were seated with Christ in heavenly places and our citizenship as followers of Jesus was in heaven. This information set my mind on fire. I began studying the Bible, digging deeper into the truth about my heavenly citizenship, only to realize that neither Russian nor America are my home. My true home is in heaven with God. That’s where I belong.

For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:6

Have you ever thought about this?

Seated with Christ in heavenly places…

I was astonished. It was the first time I ever heard anyone talk about this life-changing information. There was always a hole in my heart. I always sought to belong but felt like I couldn’t quite fit in. Well… It’s because I’m from heaven, and it’s hard to feel home here on earth.

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.

Philippians 3:20

Wow! That took my thinking about the topic of citizenship to a whole new level. Where do I truly belong? What does it actually mean to be a good citizen? When I was in school growing up, I was taught what it means to be a citizen of the Russian Federation: to always sacrifice your own individuality for your country and to worship Mother Russia, and I did that. When I was studying for my naturalization test here in America, I was taught what it means to be a citizen of the United States: to honor the constitution, and I do this.

I was awarded citizenship in Russia based on my birth certificate. In America, I waited a long time to receive my documents, especially my certificate of naturalization and passport, which resulted from my story of being lured to America under a false pretense and being abused. What does it mean to be a citizen of heaven? How does one get this kind of citizenship?

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.

Philippians 1:27

This scripture is a letter from Paul to the Philippians, a nation he encouraged to grow in faith. He wrote this letter to the Philippians from prison. Paul wasn’t worried about his passport or birth certificate. He was talking about faith, unity, and Christ-honoring behaviors as the indicators demonstrating one’s heavenly citizenship.

Among the behaviors Paul discussed in his letter was one that had great importance: contentment. Paul was in prison. His entire existence was in the hands of people providing donations for him. Yet, he was content because of his heavenly citizenship. Here’s how Paul explained his contentment.

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.

Philippians 4:11

There are strikes and hatred among the citizens of Russia. Growing up there, I witnessed what discontent produces: anger, violence, and division among people. There are strikes and hatred among the citizens of America. Living here for over a decade, I witnessed what discontent produces: anger, violence, and division among people. But heavenly citizenship calls us to unity, faith, and contentment. This is where I belong.  

I don’t know how I feel about Russia. I’m processing everything that happened there and I write about it on this Christian blog. I know I was honored to receive my American passport handed to me in 2016 in Forsyth County, GA. But I know with confidence how I feel about my citizenship in heaven: grateful and excited. This altered my life forever. I quit my secular job in SaaS marketing in 2019 to pursue this Christian ministry. If this content is helpful, support this ministry now.

I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and savior. I am seated with Him in heavenly places. I found peace and contentment. I know where I belong and why. My citizenship is in heaven? What about you? Have you accepted your heavenly citizenship? According to Paul, the only requirement is “conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.” Are you ready to live a life of peace, non-violence, unity, faithfulness, and contentment? If you said “Yes!” memorize my scriptures-based, Spirit-inspired Biblical affirmation below and practice it daily to remember where you truly belong.

I Am a Citizen of Heaven

I Am a Citizen of Heaven #52Devotionals

I am a citizen of heaven.
I  am a citizen of heaven
Where Jesus Christ lives.
There's nothing I dream of having -
To me satisfaction and contentment He gives.

Click to tweet

How do you feel about your heavenly citizenship? What is going to be different in your life now that you know this truth? Let me know in the comments. When you share your story, you give God all the glory. Your testimony can encourage and empower someone who’s confused, lost, in pain, or even suicidal. Share in the comments how God is working in you right now.

If this devotional was helpful, download now my free ebook called “52 Things God Says About You!” This Spirit-inspired ebook helps you understand who God says you are. Don’t be vulnerable to identity attacks from the mainstream media, relatives, coworkers, your boss, society, culture, and the voices in your head. Stand firm and know what God says about you! Get the ebook now.

52 things God says about you and your identity in Christ

Read Next

SHARE IF YOU CARE
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments